WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team broke through for its first win of the season with a 69-67 victory over Finlandia University at JustAgame Fieldhouse on Sunday.

MLC trailed 32-27 at the half, but quickly erased the deficit early in the second half and built a four-point lead with under 13 minutes to play.

The two teams went back and forth in a game that featured 16 lead changes and 15 ties, and the two teams were tied 67-67 in the final minute. The Lions had what looked to be a game-winning lay-up with 10 seconds to play, but Jack Heichelbech raced back to block the shot at the rim, and then scored on a breakaway lay-up on the other end with five seconds left to give MLC a two-point lead.

In the final possession, the Lions drew a foul with 1.2 seconds remaining, but could not convert at the foul line as the Knights held on to secure the rebound and the two-point win.

MLC shot 42.9 percent from the field for the game, but found its rhythm in the second half as it shot 50.0 percent overall. First-year forward Seth Veers battled foul trouble throughout the game, but came through with 11 of his team-high 15 points in the second half.

Finlandia struggled from the outside (1-15 from three-point range), but was able to stay in the game thanks to 27 fast break points and 46 points in the paint. 

Ezra Blumer joined Veers in double figures with 14 points, while Caleb Westra scored 10 big points off the bench.

The Knights improved to 1-10 on the season with the win. Finlandia fell to 1-14 on the season in defeat.

MLC will return to action in the new year when it hosts Bethany Lutheran College in a conference game scheduled for January 8. Tip off is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.